ABC Headstart Annual Report 2013 - 2014 November 2014 | Page 20

Highlights and Program Results Here’s what some of our wonderful parents have to say about ABC Head Start! “I do really thank the Head Start program and the people working there. My kid’s life changed to better and ever since she started, she has better communication, is nicer with me and others and is more respectful to siblings and others too.” From surveys completed over the year as a means of assessing outcomes, we know that Head Start programming make a valuable difference in the life of a child! “Head Start is a very supportive and good place where my child & I learned a lot of things. They supported me, guided me and with almost of all the issues I had related to myself and my child. Teachers and social workers are really very helping. They fully supported me and helped me a lot. My child is much more social and confident now.” 96% of parents that were asked, indicated that their child shows greater interest in crafts, communicating and cognitive development; 98% said their child showed greater interest in being with others; 97% said their child enjoyed Head Start 96% of parents revealed that they are doing more to keep their child healthy; 98% said being involved with Head Start benefited their children. The Kindergarten Follow-Up Survey outcomes indicated that: 83% of the children were ready for kindergarten while 17% required additional assistance; 96% of the children were adjusting to kindergarten; 81% of the children demonstrated average or above average skills compared to their peers; 73% of the children had average or above average social-emotional skills; 76% had average or above average communication skills; 74% had average or above average pre-literacy skills; 82% had average or above average fine motor skills; 93% had average or above average gross motor skills; 88% had average or above average cognitive skills; 74% of the parents were actively involved in their children’s kindergarten program; 96% of the children would be placed in Grade One at the end of the kindergarten year. “I love the program and I really thank the staff especially the teachers because they were really patient and have a heart of gold for the kids. I am really lucky and happy that my kids were once a part of the program because they have gained a lot of knowledge and skill development during their stay in ABC. I will miss seeing them almost every day when school ends. Thank you for the opportunity!” From the Front Line: Parent Group Success can be measured by the commitment parents have to attending and being involved. One Social Worker discovered its value when trying to book an appointment with a mother and was told, “Not on parent group day!” - Abbott site We were talking about pets today and one little girl told me she has a brown turkey at home! - Duggan Classroom What does a bird say? Nothing. Birds don’t talk! They chirp. Anonymous 20